The Pentagon is significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups as President Donald Trump warns of potential military action against Iran if nuclear negotiations fail. Trump stated, “It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise bad things happen.” Experts suggest military options might include targeted strikes, but caution that Iran could retaliate more strongly than before.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, three guided-missile destroyers, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with additional service members, have been deployed to the region. The buildup includes over 16 ships and more than 100 fighter jets, with movements tracked by the Military Air Tracking Alliance.
Analyst Seth Jones noted that while significant, the U.S. isn’t deploying a major ground force, unlike during past conflicts in the region. Michael O’Hanlon emphasized the current military assets are designed both for offense and defense against potential retaliations from Iran.
